Grey Tortrix Moth

Grey tortrix (Cnephasia stephensiana) caterpillars caused damage to alfalfa in the Williams Lake and Kersley regions of B.C. in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Since 2011, damage by this pest has been reported in Lumby, Sparwood, Creston and Fort Fraser. Farmers are asked to report any suspect damage in new regions to the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture offices.

This species has most recently been noticed in Fort Fraser, BC. Based on samples provided by area producers, entomologists with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and BC Ministry of Agriculture have provisionally identified the caterpillars as Grey Tortrix Moth (Cnephasia stephensiana); identification is provisional because the larval stage lacks some of the characters required for 100% confirmation. Some of the caterpillars are being kept in hopes that they will mature and allow for final identification.